A rare piece of Mount Gambier education memorabilia has recently turned up at a thrift shop in the Blue Lake City.

A blazer from Mount Gambier Technical High School was purchased by our holidaying reporter “Fred” Smith.

It is believed to be over 50 years old and the Pick Avenue school has long been re-named Grant High School.

“Fred” purchased it by chance from the Salvation Army store in Gray Street for the marked down price of $5.

He suspects it is likely to have cost around $20 when new in the 1960s.

“One of my elder brothers began his secondary education at a state high school in Adelaide in the 1960s and this is how much Mum and Dad paid for his blazer at the John Martin’s department store,” he said.

“Back then, a five course Christmas dinner for two at an upmarket hotel would have cost you $20.

“The Mount Gambier Tech blazer is in a wonderful condition for its age.

“The trim has retained its very bright gold colouring and the pure wool flannel is unmarked.

“I have a few other vintage blazers and they have been affected by moths.

“The label says it was tailored in Adelaide by K.A.Ludgate Pty. Ltd and the material is an Australian Wool Bureau Gold Medal winner.

“The first name of the original owner was Ian but the surname cannot be deciphered.

“I intend to give the blazer to one of my good friends Dennis Muhovics. Back in the 1960s, he would travel to the school each day from his home at Glencoe.

“Dennis is quite a collector of various vintage items.”